Webcasts Related to the African Section (2015 - 2016)
December 16, 2016
Men in the Arena
Filmmaker J.R. Biersmith discussed his documentary film "Men in the Arena," about two Somali national soccer team friends chasing their dreams against impossible odds. It was shot in Somalia, Kenya and the United States.
November 18, 2016
Kwame Dawes
As part of the "Conversations with African Poets and Writers Series", Ghanaian writer Kwame Dawes
read samples of his work and participated in a moderated discussion with the Library's Angel Batiste.
November 4, 2016
Mauritian Writer Shenaz Patel
As Part of the "Conversations with African Poets and Writers Series,
Shenaz Patel read selections of her work and participated in a discussion with Library staff.
October 27, 2017
Ritual Archives
African studies scholar Toyin Omoyeni Falola discussed ritual archives.
October 13, 2016
Reintegration of Refugee Women in Post-Conflict Liberia
Olajumoke Yacob-Haliso discussed her research on ethical dilemmas and gender factors that affect returnee refugee women in Liberia.
September 29, 2016
Where's WANDA in Africa & Diaspora?
Author Tambra Raye Stevenson discussed her "Where's WANDA" book series and how the WANDA (Women Advancing Nutrition, Dietetics and Agriculture) character sparks the imagination of young girls to use food as a healing power in their families and communities.
September 22, 2016
Imperial Exile
Keith Bowers discussed his book, "Imperial Exile" about Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie's exile in Britain in the 1930s to escape the invading armies of the Italian fascist leader Benito Mussolini.
July 5, 2016
Malawi Music with Giddes Chalamanda
The 86-year-old Malawian musician, Giddes Chalamanda, performed his music for the first time in America at the Library of Congress.
May 17, 2016
The Mind of the African Strongman
Herman Jay Cohen discussed his book, "The Mind of the African Strongman," reflecting on nearly four decades of work throughout the African continent. He shared stories of his personal encounters with some of Africa's most legendary leaders and an account of dealing with U.S. presidents, secretaries of State, and other key leaders shaping U.S. foreign policy toward Africa in the post-colonial/Cold War era.
April 27, 2016
Sailors and Daughters: Early Photography and the Indian Ocean
Erin Haney discussed "Sailors and Daughters," an online exhibition from the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art. This exhibit reveals the expansive maritime societies of Zanzibar, the east African coast and beyond.
March 14, 2016
Author Namwali Serpell
As part of the "Conversations with African Poets and Writers Series", Zambian writer Namwali Serpell read a short story from her book, participated in an interview, and took questions from the audience. Serpell also discussed her current research, challenges and opportunities in African literature.
September 25, 2015
Traveling Through Ethiopia
Esubalew Meaza discusses how he has showcased Ethiopia's culture, history, and landscape in his photo books.
July 6, 2015
Conversation with African Poets and Writers featuring Lemn Sissay
Lemn Sissay reads selections from his work and participates in a moderated discussion.
June 19, 2015
The Juneteenth Book Festival Symposium on Black Literature & Literacy
A day-long symposium on Juneteenth, one of the oldest observances marking the end of the enslavement of African descendants in the United States. The holiday has been celebrated in Galveston, Texas, since June 19, 1865, when news of the Emancipation Proclamation first was announced in Texas. Today, Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom with an emphasis on education and literacy. The opened with a history of Juneteenth. Three panels followed on "The State of Black Literature," "The "Stakeholders of Black Literacy" and "Independent Artists: Our Journey as Storytellers of the African Diaspora."
May 21, 2015
Okey Ndibe
Nigerian-born professor of literature Okey Ndibe read selections from his new novel "Foreign Gods Inc."
May 19, 2015
The African Heritage House
The African Heritage House overlooking the Nairobi National Park is described by the prestigious Architectural Digest as "an architecture rising from the serene Kenyan plain like an outcropping of earth, a vision of usefulness informed by the African genius for decoration." Designed by American Alan Donovan, the house is a combination of the mud architectures from across Africa.
May 6, 2015
The Oral History of the Mali Empire
Nubia Kai from the University of Maryland discussed her book, "Kuma Malinke Historiography: Sundiata Keita to Almamy Samori Toure."
April 17, 2015
Okwiri Oduor
Kenyan author Okwiri Oduor read from her prize-winning short story, "My Fathers Head" and participated in a moderated discussion.
March 31, 2015
The Making of a King: King Peggy
Peggielene Bartels, also known as King Peggy, spoke about how she became King of Otuam, a small fishing village on the coast of Ghana.
March 26, 2015
The Growing of Africa's Emergent Leadership
Olubanke King Akerele spoke about her latest book, which presents a documentation of various programs of leadership development over time in several African countries. She discusses the impact of these programs and profiles some of Africa's emergent leaders.
February 3, 2015
Conversations with African Poets and Writers: Chinelo Okparanta
Chinelo Okparanta read selections from her work and participated in a moderated discussion.
Past Webcasts
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